A Gridiron Mindset

November 8, 2016November 8, 2016

Behind the Facemask: Sa’Quan Hicks Practices at Full Speed and Plays Faster

Sa’Quan “Trap” Hicks grew up in Baltimore City, Maryland. He started playing football as a kid in the neighborhood and learned how to catch fairly young. Sa’Quan noticed that he had a lot of speed and would use that to his advantage when playing against older kids.

Sa’Quan started playing corner when he was 8 years old in Pop Warner and has since added special teams positions including kick and punt return. He wrestled for a couple of years in middle school but his love was football.

One of the biggest obstacles Sa’Quan has faced is that “it is hard to gain the attention of the NFL, CFL, and AFL when you don’t take the regular path.” He didn’t play high school or major college football which has made it harder to get in front of the right people. Sa’Quan may not have had a traditional progression in his football career but he has made up for it with determination to stick to the process.

He is also a bit undersized but has learned to make up for it with his awareness, studying of film, and athletic ability. In the sport of football, your mental capacity and self awareness is just as important as Sa’Quan’s ability to run a 4.38 40 time with a 40 inch vertical leap. You will notice that Peyton Manning was not the most athletic being on the planet but studied his tail off. Jerry Rice was not the fastest but worked the hardest. There is a place for you in football if you work at it. Sa’Quan explains that you need to “carve your own path and create your own opportunities.”

On game day, Sa’Quan does early morning footwork sessions to wake up his body. He then watches 10-20 minutes of Deion Sanders, Darrelle Revis, and Jason Verrett film. Visiualizing great play results in great play. He then puts on music which includes Don Trip, Young Jeezy, Yo Gotti, and Gucci Mane.

Sa’Quan’s advice for players out there is to “create value and practice at full speed because it will translate to game day.” Football has also taught him that you should never underestimate anyone. He is also adamant that players stay in school and get the best grades possible because it will open doors to everything you will want in life.

Sa’Quan lives for when he silences the crowd with an interception, probably because he enjoys being the one to change the momentum.His funniest moment was that, during his rookie season of playing professionally in indoor football, a referee tripped over his own feet and stumbled onto the turf. Sa’Quan’s favorite NFL team is the Houston Texans and his favorite player is Jason Verrett.